Iran will build an energy power plant in the much disputed Abu Musa Island, in the eastern Persian Gulf, country's deputy energy minister confirmed.
A power plant with an annual power generation capacity of 500 megawatts will be built on Abu Musa Island, the largest island in the Persian Gulf, Houshang Falahatian said, according to Mehr News Agency in Tehran.
The power plant will be constructed with private sector investment, according to Falahatian. 'All the project equipment was built on the island. In a couple of months the power plant will begin construction,' he added.
'Iran's first clean water and power cogeneration plant at Qeshm Island will be brought into service this month,' said Falahatian. With the plant's activation, the island's water and electricity shortage problems are expected to diminish in a few years.
Qeshm Island, separated by Iran's mainland in the Persian Gulf, is surrounded by the world's saltiest water.
Iran argues that the United Arab Emirates does not have any legal ground in claiming rights over Abu Musa and the greater and lesser Tunbs as they were not independent from the United Kingdom in 1971 when the Emirates invaded the islands.
There has been tension over the three islands over the last decades. Both the United Arab Emirates and Iranhave stated that they are trying to solve the territorial issue.
The Tehran government previously invited the Emirates for talks over the fate of the islands which lie near the Strait of Hormuz. The Emirate government, however, have brought attention to their claims to the island with Arab countries and international organizations. The main problem seems to be an inability to share the region due to the Strait's potential oil rich reserves.
The three islands in the Persian Gulf have been underIran's rule since 1971.
Anadolu Agency